U.S. Supreme Rejects Challenge To California’s Ban On Conversion Therapy

While two of the major opinions released by the U.S. Supreme Court were victories for Christofascists and those in the GOP who seek to return America to the Gild Age, including all the abuse of workers and the unfortunate that were the flip side to the opulent wealth of the robber barons, one move by the Court did strike a victory for the forces of reason.  What happened?  The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the appeal of proponents of witch doctor like "reparative therapy" who sought to strike down California's ban on the discredited "therapy" favored by Christofascists and charlatans who desperately want to maintain the myth that sexual orientation is a "choice" and "changeable."   The appeal was brought after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ban.  Bloomberg.com has details:

The U.S. Supreme Court let California ban therapists from working with children to change their sexual orientation, as the justices turned away contentions that the measure violates the First Amendment. 

Rejecting two appeals, the high court today left intact a federal appeals court ruling upholding California’s 2012 law banning sexual-orientation conversion therapy. The measure, the first of its kind in the nation, had been on hold during the court fight and can now take effect.

Counselors and patients argued in the appeals that the law will censor their discussions and interfere with parental rights. New Jersey has a similar law, which is also being challenged in court.

The California law applies to licensed doctors, psychologists, family therapists and social workers. Violators are subject to discipline by state licensing bodies. 

The measure doesn’t bar unlicensed providers, such as religious leaders, from administering the therapy. Licensed providers can refer minors to religious leaders.

In upholding the law, a San Francisco-based federal appeals court said it regulates conduct, not speech. The three-judge panel said licensed professionals can discuss the pros and cons of conversion therapy, as long as they don’t actually provide treatment to someone under age 18.

It goes without saying that there is much whining and wailing  among the Christofascists and professional Christian set.  Sadly, the ban does not reach to unlicensed "therapists" who will continue the dangerous practice through fraudulent "ministries."   A similar ban for New York State was killed by Republicans in the  New York Senate.